Brake



April 7, 1942. A. w. JOHNSON ETAL 2,279,274;

BRAKE Filed Aug. 18, 1938 2 Sheets- Sheet l IINVENTOR. A.w, JOHNSON,A.A.BENSON,

ATTORNEY.

April 1942 A. w. JOHNSON ETAL ,3 4

BRAKE I Filed Aug. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. A. W. JOHNSON, A.A. BE NSON, fiwee M ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 7, 1942 v r I 9 BRAKE Arvicl W. Johnson and Ary A. Benson,Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 18, 1938, Serial No. 225,624

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to brakes and more specificallytobrakes of the multiple disk type. I

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a multiple disk brake bywhich a smooth, uniform, and powerful braking action can be efrelationfor rotation with the wheel. The frame I! is provided at spacedintervals about its circumference with a plurality of laterallyprojecting arms constituting keys I8 of rectangular "1 cross-section,the inner ends of which are slidably received in recesses I9 formed inthe periphfected with a negligible amount of manual effort,

all while affording the desirable advantages of structural simplicityand compactness, ease of adjustment to compensate for wear which mayoccur after long service, and ready applicability to a vehicle such asan automobile to provide thoroughly dependable and positive brakes forthe wheels thereof.

One form of this invention will now be described, and its novel featuresthen pointed out in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a View showing in front elevation partly broken away, oneform of brake embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the brake in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional fragmentary view taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein similar referencecharacters designate similar parts in each of the several views, thisinvention in its present embodiment comprises a nonrotatable member inthe form of a circular metal pressure plate Ill having a relativelylarge hub II projecting axially from the outer side thereof, and whichis rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the axle-housing I2 of thevehicle so as to be disposed co-axially with the housing.

The outer periphery of the hub II is provided with a series of spirallyarranged cams or threads I4 on which is mounted a pressure member in theform of a circular metal presser plate I5, formed with internal cams orthreads I4a cooperating with cams or threads I4 to the end of providingco-acting means by which rotary movement of the plate I5 in onedirection or the other will accordingly move such plate axially towardsor away from the plate ID.

A rotary and axially movable friction member in the form of a disk l6,preferably molded of suitable brake-lining material, is interposedbetween the plate members Ill and I5 and is supported by a'frame memberI! rigidly secured to a wheel, not shown, of the vehicle in co-axial eryof the friction disk It so that the latter will be free for axialmovement between the plates Ill and I5 and yet will be keyed to theframe I! so as to be positively rotated thereby.

A bracket 20 is rigidly secured by screws 2I to the outer face of thehub II so as to project radially outward therefrom, and journaled in thebracket is a stub-shaft 22 to which is fixed a gear 23 in mesh with asegmental rack 24 formed on or connected to the pressure plate I5, sothat accordingly as the shaft is rotated in one direction or the otherthe presser plate will be rotated in one direction or the other andhence moved axially towardsor away from the plate I0 and disk I6 by thespiral teeth [4.

Fixed to the stub shaft 22 between the bracket 20 and the gear 23 is anarm 25 having a socket 26 in which seats the rounded end of a pin 27threaded into a block 28 and secured against rotation in the block by alock nut 29. The block 28 is slidably mounted in a recess 30 formed inthe'hub I l and is pivotally connected at 3I to one end of a link '32. Asecond link 33 is pivoted at 34 on the hub I I and is pivotallyconnected at 35 to the link 32 for co-action therewith in forming atoggle operative to advance and retract the block 28, as will beunderstood. A clevis 36 is connected to the links at 35, and a flexiblecable 31 is connected to the clevis for exerting a pull upon the linksto straighten the toggle and advance the block 28. The cable is intendedto be operatively' connected in any suitable manner to a pedal or lever,not shown, for manual actuation. A second arm 38 is fixed to the stubshaft 22 and is normally urged by a spring 39 to rotate the shaft in thedirection which will result in the gear 23 and rack 24 coacting to movethe plate I5'axially away from the plate I0 and disk [6 in response tothe rotary movement imparted to the presser plate.

At circumferentially spaced intervals, the supporting frame I1 isprovided with pockets 40 through which extend rods 4I having hooks 42 ontheir inner ends engaging pins 43 spanning recesses or slots 44 formedin the friction disk I6, as clearly seen in Fig. 2. Coil springs 45surround the rods 4| in the pockets 4i] and abut heads 45 on the rods tonormally urge the fric tion disk axially away from the fixed plate I 0.

Adjacent the rods 4| are stop-screws 41 extending freely through thesupporting frame l1 and having nuts 48 and 49 thereon which co-act insecuring the stop-screws in selected positions of adjustment.

Under the urging action of the springs G5 the friction disk I6 isnormally maintained in engagement with the outer ends of the stop-screwswhich limit the movement of the friction disk axially away from theplate, It to a position wherein the friction disk is clear of the plateI5} and is also clear of the presser plate when the V latter occupiesits retracted position under the action of the spring 39, as shown inFig. 2. Thus the friction disk will normally be free for rota tion bythe wheel and will be held-against any wobbling movement which wouldcreate wear and set up a frictional dragg' The adjust/ability of thestop-screws 4'! enables the position where.-

in the latter limit the friction disk to be varied to compensate forwear occurring plates and disk. V 1 r 3 v The operation of thebrake isas'follows; With the parts of the brake. occupying the positions shownin Figs. 1 and 2, the friction disk It will be clear of the plates andIS-so that on the several interposed between said members, a rack onsaid pressure member, a pinion in mesh with said rack, an arm connectedto said pinion, and means including a-toggle mechanism for actuatingsaid arm and rotating said pressure member to move the brakeis entirelyreleased. When it is desired to apply the brake a pull is exerted uponthe cable 31, causing the toggle-links 32, 33to co-act in advancing theblock 28. Asthe block is advanced, the pin 21 rocks the arm 25 in thedirection of the arrow Fig. 1, thus imparting corthe friction disk,increasing in intensity as the pressure imposed by the plate [5 isincreased. Thescrew-threads or cams I! are disposed with an inclinationto advance the plate I5 upon the friction disk l6 when the plate [5 isrotated in the same direction as the wheel and friction disk are movingwhen the vehicle is moving forwardly so that the frictional contact ofthe engag-' ing disk and plates tends to advance the presser plate andaids inproviding a reliable braking, effect. i

When the cable is released, the spring 39 andv the springs restore theparts of the braketo the normal positions shown, sothat the brake isagain entirely released. It will be manifest that by the provision ofthis invention any, amount of braking action from a minimum to a maximumsufiicient to lock the friction disk against rotation, can be effected,and'with but a. negli gible expenditure of manual effort. The brake isself-energizing in action upon contact of the engageable plates and diskand its construction enables it to function as a thoroughly depend-;

through such outerz I 7 A axiallyvtowards the non-rotatable member forco-action therewith in braking said friction disk against rotation. a

2. A brake comprising a non-rotatioble member, a rotatable and axiallymovable pressure member, a rotary and axially movable friction diskinterposed between said members, a rack on said pressure member, apinion in mesh with said rack, an arm connected to said pinion, meansincluding a toggle-mechanism for actuating said arm and rotating saidpressure member to move axially towards the non-rotatable memher forco-action therewith in braking said frice, tion disk against rotation,means for urging the pressure member axially away from the non-rotatablemember, and means operable tomaine tain the friction disk in a positionclear ,of the other members when the pressure member occupies its urgedposition. V

3. A brake comprising a non-rotatable.mem-' her, a rotatable and axiallymovable pressure member, a rotary and axially movable friction diskinterposed between said members, means for rotating said pressurememberto move axially towards the non-rotatable member for coactiontherewith in braking'said friction=.disk against rotation, means forurging the pressure member axially away from the non-rotatable member,means for urging the friction diskaxi-i ally away from the non-rotatablemember," and a plurality of screw-threaded stops for limiting.

movement of the friction-disk axially awayfrom meansfor mounting thefriction disk for rota-, tion yet rendering it free for movementaxially,

circumferentially; spaced pins on the friction disk, rods slidablymounted on the mounting means at circumferentially spaced intervals andhaving hooked engagement'with the pins,

means-for urging the pressure member-anally,

away from the non-rotatable member, ,coil

springs mounted on the rods and coactingtherewith to urge the frictiondisk axially away from the non-rotatable member, and stops on themounting means engaged by the friction disk to limit movement of thelatter axiallyaway from the non-rotatable member to a position whereinthe friction diskisclear of the other members when-the pressureposition.

.5. A brake comprising-a.non+rotatable memmember occupies its: urgedbQItflHflXifilbi mqvable pressure member, a triotion disk interposed,between said members, means for mounting the friction disk for rotationyet rendering it free for movement axially, rods slidably mounted on themounting means at circumferentially spaced intervals connected with saidfriction disk, means for urging the pressure member axially .away fromthe non-rotatable member, coil springs mounted onsaid rods and co-actingtherewith to urge the friction disk axially away. from the non-rotatablemember, and stops on the mounting means engaged by the friction disk tolimit the movement of the latter axially away from the non-rotatablememher to a position wherein the friction disk is clear of the othermembers when the pressure member occupies its urged position.

6. A wheel brake comprising a non-rotatable member formed with a hubprovided with screwthreads, a pressure member mounted on said hub andprovided with screw-threads in engagement with the threads of said hub,a friction disk slidably connected to rotate with the wheel andpositioned between said members to be frictionally engaged thereby, .asegmental rack fixed to the pressure member, a gear rotatable about afixed axis and inmesh with said rack, an arm on said gear, means foractuating said arm to cause the gear and rack to co-act in rotating saidpressure member to frictionally engage said disk,

a second arm secured to said gear, and a spring connected to said secondnamed arm to urge said gear in direction to retract said pressuremember.

7. A wheel brake comprising a non-rotatable pressure member formed withscrew-threads, a presser member formed with screw-threads coacting withthe threads of said non-rotatable member, a friction disk slidablyconnected to rotate with the wheel and positioned between said membersto be frictionally engaged thereby, a toothed rack connected to saidpresser member, a pinion gear engaged with said rack and operable torotate said presser member upon said threads, and means to actuate saidgear including flexible connections extending through said non-rotatablemember.

8. A brake, comprising a non-rotatable member having a hub formed withscrew-threads, a pressure plate having screw threads in operativeengagement with the hub to move axially towards or away from saidnon-rotatable member upon the rotation in one direction or the other, afriction disk slidably connected to rotate with the wheel and interposedbetween said members, means to actuate said pressure member, springactuated rods connected to the friction-disk to withdraw said frictiondisk away from said non-rotatable member upon the retraction of saidpressure member, and stops to limit the withdrawal of said frictiondisk.

9. A wheel brake comprising a non-rotatable member having an outwardlyextending hub formed, with screw-threads, a presser member formed withscrew-threads co-acting with the threads on said hub, a friction-diskslidably connected to rotate with the wheel and positioned between saidmembers to be frictionally engaged thereby, a bracket fixed to said hub,a shaft rotatably mounted in said bracket, operative means upon saidshaft engageable with said presser member to rotatably actuate saidpresser member upon said hub, and flexible connections extending to theinner side of said non-rotatable member to energize said operativemeans.

10. A wheel brake comprising a non-rotatable member having. an outwardlyextending hub formed with screw-threads, a presser member mountedoutwardly of said non-rotatable member formed with screw-threadsco-acting with the threads of said hub, a friction-disk slidablyconnected to rotate withsthe wheel and positioned between saidmembers'to be frictionally engaged thereby, means mounted on saidnon-rotatable member and engageable with said presser member torotatably actuate said presser member upon said hub, and operativeconnections for said actuating meansextending to the inner side of saidnon-rotatable member.

. 11.'A wheel brake'comprising a non-rotatable member having anoutwardly extending hubformed with screw-threads, a presser membermounted outwardly of saidnon-rotatable member formed with screw-threadsco-acting with the threads on said hub, a friction-disk slidablyconnected to rotate with the wheel and positioned between said membersto be frictionally engaged thereby, a bracket fixed to said hub, a shaftrotatably mounted in said bracket, a gear keyed upon said shaft, atoothed rack mounted on said presser member in mesh with said gear, andconnective means extendingto'the inner side of said nonrotatable memberto rotatably actuate said shaft I to effect the braking engagement ofsaid frictiondisk between said members.

12. A wheel brake consisting of a pressure-plate fixedly secured to thewheel-axle having an outwardly directed hub formed with exteriorscrewthreads, a presser-plate formed with screwthreads co-acting withthe threads of said hub, a frame connected to rotate with the wheel andformed with a plurality of inwardly directed arms spaced apart toprovide openings to the atmosphere in radial alignment with said plates,a friction-disk interposed between said plates and slidably mounted onsaid arms to rotate therewith, and means to rotatably actuate saidpresser-plate upon said hub to frictionally engage the frictiondiskbetween said plates, including flexible connections extending to theinner side of said nonrotatable member.

13. Awheel brake consisting of a pressure-plate fixedly secured to thewheel-axle and having an outwardly directed hub formed with exteriorscrew-threads, a presser-plate formed with screwthreads co-acting withthe threads of said hub, a frame connected to rotate with the wheel andformed with a plurality of inwardly directed arms spaced apart toprovide openings therebetween and extending to proximity of saidpressure-plate and within the perimeter thereof, a friction-diskinterposed between said plates and slidably mounted on said arms torotate therewith, and means mounted on said hub and co-acting with saidpresser-plate to rotate the presser-plate upon said hub and frictionallyengage the friction-disk between said plates, said means extending tothe inner side of the pressure-plate.

14. A wheel brake consisting of a fixed pressure-plate, a rotatablepresser-plate, interconnecting means between said plates providing formovement of the presser-plate in an inclined course with respect to thepressure-plate, a rotatable and axially movable friction-disk interposedbetween said plates, and connected to the wheel, and means mounted onsaid pressure-plate for actuating said presser-plate and to frictionallyengage said friction-disk between said plates, in-

cluding a flexible cable extending through said member'formed with. aconcentric pressure-plate and-a hub provided with screw-threads,-apresser plate mounted on said'lruh provided with screwthreads inengagement with the threads oi said hub, a. friction disk slidablyconnected: to rotate with the wheel and positioned between saidplates tobe frictionallyengaged thereby, a segmental rack fixed to said presserplate, a gear in mesh with said rack, an arm on. said gear, and meansengaging said arm and extending; through said non-rotatable member toactuate said gear and rack rotating the presser plate to frictionallyengage said disk.

16. A wheel brake'comprising a non-rotatable member formed withscrew-threads, a presser member formedwith screw-threads co-acting withthe threads of said non-rotatable member, a friction disk slidablyconnected to rotate with the wheel and positioned between said membersto be frictionaliy engaged. thereby, and means for rotating saidpresser'member upon said threads: includ. ing a toothed rackj secured tothe presser member, a gear operably engaged with'said rack, and flexibleconnections for-actuating said gear.

17. A wheel brake, comprising; a non-rotatable pressure plate formedwith a hub provided with screw-threads, a presser plate mounted on saidhub 'and provided with screw-threads inengagement with the threads ofsaid hub, a friction disk slidably connected to rotate with the wheeland positioned. between said plates to be irictionally engaged'thereby,a segmental rack fixed to said presser plate, a gear rotatablymounted inmesh withsaid rack, an. arm on said gear, and means extending throughsaid pressure plate for actuating said arm to'cause the gear and rack toco-act in rotating said presser plate to iriotionally engage said disk.l8. Aiwheel brake, comprising a non-rotatabl pressure-plate formed withahub provided with screw-threads, a. presser plate mounted on said hubhaving screw-threads in engagement with the threads of said hub,atoothed rack on said presser plate, 'a bracket fixedly mounted on saidhub, a shaft rotatably mounted in said bracket, a gear on said shaft inmesh with said rack, an arm on said gear, and means for actuating saidarm to cause the gear and rack to co-act in rotating said presser plate,said means including flexible connections extending through the pressureplate.

ARVID W. JOHNSON. ARY A. BENSON.

